If love can be two things, it is generous and faithful. In our mercy we are trained to be generous because our rejection of materialism sees the world and it's material goods for what they are. They are tools. No more, no less.
This allows us to be loyal to people over things. We find that we are doing less "backstabbing" in order to get ahead. We find that we are tithing more. Tithing is that one thing that seems to make so many people angry in the Church. The pastor gets up on Sunday to talk about how the Church needs a certain amount of money in order to run and we turn our ears off.
When the collection comes around we put our five dollars (or less) in so that we can say that we gave "something."
Have we ever stopped to consider what true generosity would be if we actually allowed ourselves to tithe in the tradition of Abraham and his offering to the high priest, Melchizedek? What if we were actually able to give five dollars off every $100 to our local church and another five to the charity or charities of our choice? It wouldn't make much of a difference.
At least that is what we tell ourselves.
The truth is much different. If only a few people in the parish or church decided to contribute a the rate of five percent, we might actually end the need for special collections.
If more decided to do so then we might actually be able to offer religious education, and parochial school for free.
Think about the ramifications of that.
I understand that the economy is tight. I understand that the easiest thing would be to take that five percent and save it or to buy an extra luxury or two. If your entire income is going towards needs, isn't it helpful to know that there are people in the congregation of your church that are providing resources so that you can get the help that you need in order to get back on your feet?
Instead we think that if we are the only ones giving or tithing then our small amount won't make much of a difference. The problem is that our generosity is not meant to help others, but to help ourselves. You see, the more you contribute, the more you are likely to be invested in the Church, in the charity, in the work that you see others doing for the Kingdom.
Generosity goes hand in hand with faithfulness. When you are committed to something you are generous with it. When you are generous with something you are committed to it. This is why buying a gift for someone when that gift is something that is expensive has a certain sign of faithfulness to the person. Either in friendship or in marriage.
It isn't that the relationship is materialistic, but our tithe is a sign of our generosity, our faithfulness. How can you say that someone who tithes their time and talent doesn't in some way feel faithful to the object of that tithe? How can you say that someone who tithes financially at a full ten percent does not in some way feel faithful to the object of that tithe?
How can you say that someone is faithful when they are not willing to give anything?
If we are to truly love in light of the sacrifice of Christ, then we need to understand all that is wrapped up in that. If we reject greed, embrace mercy, use counsel, we are going to find ourselves at some point confronting who and what we are showing love to, where we choose to sacrifice. Where we choose to tithe our time, talent, and treasure.
For where your treasure is, there also your heart will be.
Questions for Reflection:
- Judging simply on where your treasure is, or where you are most generous, what are you most faithful to? Are those the priorities that God wants from you? What are you really faithful to?
- What can you do in order to properly tithe your time, talent, and treasure if you are not doing so right now? If you are, are you tithing or over-tithing? Remember, it is ten percent, not ninety!
- What can you do to encourage tithing in your own life? In your family? In your church?
- What are some things that you would like to see done in the church or community? Are you willing to put your generosity where your desire is? Why or why not? Do you not feel as committed as you say you are?
- How might you encourage a change to be more faithful to the things in your life that matter?
- Look at how much you are tithing. If you are not tithing the correct amount, adjust it by one percent closer to where it needs to be.
- If you are overbooked in what you are tithing as far as time and talent, quit something. Force someone else to tithe so that you do not have to do it all. If you don't do anything, sign up for something.
- Find the people in your parish or community that give of themselves in abundance. Write them a thank you note and offer to help.
- If you have not been tithing financially like you should, take an opportunity to make a gift and write a note restating your commitment to the Church or charity.
- Be generous in your vocation this week. Give attention, a gift, and show your faithfulness to your spouse. If you are a priest or religious, show it to your community or parish. If you are single, write a letter to your future spouse.
Go to Mass or read the readings for the day.
Prayer of St. Francis: (to be said in the morning)
- Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
- where there is hatred, let me sow love;
- where there is injury, pardon;
- where there is doubt, faith;
- where there is despair, hope;
- where there is darkness, light;
- and where there is sadness, joy.
- O Divine Master,
- grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
- to be understood, as to understand;
- to be loved, as to love;
- for it is in giving that we receive,
- it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
- and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
- Amen.
(Before talking to another person) Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
Act of Contrition: (to be said at night)
O My God, I'm heartily sorry for having offended thee. I detest all of my sins, because of thy just punishment. Most of all, because I have offended thee, My God, who art all good, and deserving of all my love, I firmly resolve, with the help of thy Grace, to sin no more, and to avoid the near occasion of sin again, Amen.
Prayer of Counsel: (to be said before making a decision)
Direct, Lord, our counsel, following what is pleasing and acceptable in your sight, so that by exercising with devotion and in peace and gentleness, the power that you have given us, we may find favor with you.
Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola: (to be said at noon)
Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve You as You deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not ask for any reward, except that of knowing that I am doing Your will.
